Consuming the Craft

oday on Consuming the Craft, I reconnect with Ivy Ivesdal, a talented educator and improviser, to explore how improv has influenced both personal and professional aspects of life. We journey through Ivy's adventurous leap into improv classes and how those unexpected skills seamlessly overlap with training, public speaking, parenting, and even deeper human connection. Ivy opens up about breaking through adult loneliness, cultivating meaningful friendships, and nurturing “people skills” that benef

Today on Consuming the Craft, I got to reconnect with John Lyda for a session of curious sensory exploration, program updates, and plenty of laughter. We dove into the new semester at AB Tech, talked about how the craft beverage industry is evolving, and got our hands (and tastebuds) on some truly unique apple barbecue pork rinds from McConnell Farms. Our mission this time? Find the perfect beverage pairings, experimenting live with Pennsylvania apple brandy, Sazerac rye, and even considering wh

Today on Consuming the Craft, I had the pleasure of welcoming back Evan Wilder, a former student who’s become a true craftsman in beverage alcohol. Our conversation was a walk down memory lane and a glimpse into the future, tracing his journey from the AB Tech classroom to running distillation at Baldwin City Distillery in Kansas. We talked about his time brewing at Boulevard, the adventure of making fuel-grade ethanol, and now the excitement (and sometimes heartbreak) of handcrafting Kansas’s f

Today on Consuming the Craft, I got to share an inspiring and practical conversation about the upcoming American Red Cross blood drive at the Craft Beverage Institute of the Southeast at AB Tech. The conversation focused on why blood donation matters, the easy steps to participate, and just how much of an impact one donor can make. We sampled a Cosmic Little Thing Hazy Double IPA and a bold wheat whiskey, touched on beer styles and sensory analysis, and highlighted how coming together as a commu

Today on Consuming the Craft, I welcomed Adam Bachmann from The Chemist for a tasting session that turned into a deep exploration of creative spirits production. Adam brought in a preview of their American peated whiskey, drawn from a 30-gallon barrel after just nine months. We discussed the surprising depth and color achieved in such a short time, the craft of balancing peat and sweetness, and the ongoing evolution of small-batch whiskey at The Chemist. The conversation ranged from the difficul

Today on Consuming the Craft, I sat down with J.W. Jones, the owner of Asheville Brewer Supply, to talk about his journey from homebrewing in the late '90s to running a beloved shop that’s served Asheville’s makers for over 30 years. We explored the changes in the home brewing scene, why it’s truly the easiest time ever to brew a great beer at home, and the joy of making everything from beer to mead, cider, and wine with simple ingredients—even what’s in your kitchen right now. Our conversation